Adjustable cross-word puzzle apparatus



2,795,863 ADJUSTABLE CROSS -WORD PUZZLE APPARATUS Filed April 16. 1954 E. B. C. WARWICK June 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet I INVENTOR ATT'ORN EY 3 EMMA B. c. WARW/CK June 18, 1957 E. B. c. WARWICK 2,795,853

ADJUSTABLE CROSS-WORD PUZZLE APPARATUS Filed April 16. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR a EMMA a c WARW/CK FIG. 2 BY I AT'TOBN EY ADJUSTABLE CROSS-WORD PUZZLE APPARATUS Emma Blanche C. Warwick, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 16, 1954, SerialNo. 423,666

3 Claims. (Cl. 35-35) The invention relates to. game apparatus generally, and more particularly to a type having educational value for increasing the knowledge and vocabulary of the user, juvenile and adult.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the playing. of word games, such as the solving of cross-word and rhebus puzzles, or for the construction of such puzzles, as well as of designs of a practical nature, such as fillet lace patterns and the like.

Another object is to provide a permanent checkered surfacev in simulation of a cross-word puzzle layout, such as. is to bev found in newspapers, magazines and the like, and means, associated with the surface, for adjusting the area. of the surface to conform. to the area of a published layout of a given size, or to a size required for the construction of a special cross-word, rhebus, or pattern layout.

A further object has, to do with the provision of playpieces to be spotted over the checkered areas on. the surface; certain of the. pieces being. marked with letters of the alphabet for the forming. of words and the othersleft blank for use as blackouts or spacers between word. formations.

Generally, the apparatus comprises a flat hollow base, preferably rectangular in plan, having bottom, side and end walls, and an open top. Disposed inwardly of the open top of the base, and spaced above the bottomwall, is a non-transparent inner top or foundation wall (hereinafter called the mat), which has its upper surface checkered to form horizontal and vertical rows of square areas, after the manner of the usual layout of a crossword puzzle. Permanently mounted within the open top 'of'the base is a second or outer top wall, in the form of a rigid sheet of a transparent material, such as a plastic; it being disposed in spaced relation with respect to. the mat to give protection to the checkered, surface thereof and it may have its outer surface slightly roughened, for the purpose presently to be explained. The front. end wall of the base isprovided with an opening for the passage of a drawer therethrough to house the aforesaid playpieces when they are not in use; while both of the end and side walls of the base are horizontally slotted above the mat "and between the same and the outer top wall. To affect the adjustment of the surface area to a given size of layout, two intersecting guide elements, each in the form of a strip of rigid sheet material, are provided, one extending transversely across the base through and slidable along the slots in the said side walls and the other extending longitudinally through and slidable along the said slots in the end walls; the ends of the elements being down-turned at the outer sides of the. base to prevent displacement of the elements. A cover is removably hinged to the top edge of the back end wall of the base and is provided with a fastening means. adapted to secure both it and the drawer in closed state. The outer top protective wall is provided with a plurality of apertures, corresponding in number to the number of the States Fatent checkered areas on the mat and. each aperture is so located as to overlie a corner, preferably the upper left hand corner, of a square area to receive aheaded peg; the pegs. also corresponding in number to that of theapertures, and have their heads consecutively numbered, so that the number of square areas. within a given area of the mat surface may be indicated. By having the outer surface of the second. orouter top wall roughened, as before. stated, accidental displacement. of the play-pieces will be. frictionally retarded, ifnot prevented.

With the foregoing and other objects and advantages of equal importance in view, the invention resides in the certain new and useful combination, construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, set forth in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the apparatus, with the cover closed and showing the fastening means for securing it and the drawer in closed state;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the base, with the cover swung into openpositi'on;

Figure 3' is. a vertical section, taken through the line 33 on Figure 2; looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section, taken through the line 4 -4 on Figure 2, looking in the directionof the arrows;

Figure 5 is a group view of the individual play-pieces, with the lettered and blank pieces shown in plan. and the headed pegi'n perspective;1and,

Figure 6 is a. side elevation of a container for the playpieces, when th'ey'arenot in. use and ready for storage in the drawer.

Referring-to the drawings, the bottom wall of the base is indicated at 10; the side walls at 12; and the front and back end walls at 1'4 and 16, respectively. The inner top foundation wall otmat, indicated at 18, has its upper surface checkered withsquare areas or spaces 20, arranged in horizontal and vertical rows, after the manner of the like areas or spaces of a published cross-word puzz'l'e layout or mat; the group of the areas or spaces being bounded by a border 20' of substantially thesame width as that of an area or space. As to the size and number of the areas or spaces 20, I suggest they be one inch square, with twenty in each horizontal row and twentytwo in each vertical row, and the border one inch in width; such dimensions, however, being subject to change at the option ofthemanufacturer.

Forthe purpose of adjusting or varying the area of the checkered surface of the mat 18 to the dimensions of a given layout, the side, front and back end walls 12, 14 and 16, as aforesaid, are horizontally slotted, as at 22, for the reception therethrough of the transverse and longitudinal guide elements or strips 24 and 26 which have a width of one inch to correspond to that of the border 20', so that the adjusted area will have the appearance of being enclosed within a similar border, after the manner ofthe entire checkered area of the mat; the strips being slidable along the slots relatively to each other until they are in required intersecting position to that end. To prevent displacement of the elements or strips 24 and 26, the ends thereof are down-turned, as at 24 and 26, respectively, and are disposed in frictional engagement with the opposed faces of the said walls of the base.

In order to afford full view and protection to the checkered surface of the mat 18 and the guide elements or strips 24 and 26, an outer top wall 28, formed of a rigid transparent sheet material, preferably a plastic, is permanently molded within the open top of the base, in spaced relation to and above the mat 18, and with an upstanding thickened portion or rib 28' extending along its edges, the top of the portion or rib being flush 3 with the top edges of the side, front, and back end walls 12, 14 and 16, of the base, so that the central area of the wall is inset with respect to the latter edges.

A cover 30, also in the form of a rigid transparent sheet of plastic material, is removably hinged, as at 32, to the top edge of the back end wall 16, of the base, the hinges, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, being provided with pull pins 32' to facilitate such removal of the cover. The lower side of the cover has a molded lip or rib 30' spaced inwardly from each of its edges which enters the open top of the base, when the cover is swung into closed position. This lip or rib 30' seats within and against the lip or rib 28', of the outer top wall 28, and the two lips or ribs have opposed complementally sloped surfaces, so that the cover is maintained level across the top of the base. In use, the cover may remain attached to the base as an extension leaf, or when detached, it may be inverted and employed as a tray. Again, when closed, the cover presents a smooth surface for writing, card playing or the like.

The front end wall 14, of the base, is provided with a horizontal opening, below the slot 22 therein, for the passage therethrough of the drawer 34, which is provided with a pull element 34' and a male snap button 36' at the center of its front end wall; the button 36' to be engaged by a female snap button 36, carried by a flexible element or tongue 38 mounted centrally on the front end edge of the cover 30, so that, when the buttons are engaged, both the cover and the drawer are secured in closed state. The pull element 34 is preferably in the form of an open flexible loop having its ends passed through apertures spaced apart to either side of the center of the front end wall of the drawer 34 and knotted, and the male snap button 36', of the separable fastener, being centered between said ends.

The lettered play-pieces are of a flat square form, or approximately so, as shown at 40 in Figure 5, and the blank or blockout pieces are of the same form, as at 42'; oblong, as at 42; or of other forms, for instance, triangular, as at 42". When not in use, a number of each of the lettered and blank play-pieces is placed within a separate container 48, such as the bag or pouch shown in Figure 6 and which is provided with a closure means, such as the zipper 48', and the several containers are then placed within the drawer 34.

For the purpose of numbering the play areas 20, an aperture 44 is formed in the outer top wall 28 over a corner, preferably the upper left hand corner, of each of the checkered play areas for the insertion therein of a peg, such as shown in Figure 5. The pegs have tapered shanks 46 and circular heads 46, the latter being marked with identifying numerals running consecutively.

The base, together with the inner and outer top walls 18 and 28, is preferably of unitary molded plastic formation and, in lieu of the upper surface of the inner top wall 18 being marked with the checkered areas, it will be left blank, and the areas marked on the under surface of the outer top wall 28, so that, in either case, the marking will not be subject to obliteration through soiling or wear. When the pegs are made use of, along with the lettered play-pieces 49, the latter will have their upper corners cut away, substantially as shown at 40' in Figure .5, so that the pegs will not interfere with the proper spotting of the play-pieces relatively to the checkered areas required for the formation of the words necessary to solve a given crossword or rhebus puzzle.

In the use of the apparatus for the construction of a special crossword or rhebus puzzle, by the use of the lettered and blank play-pieces, the completed puzzle may then be transferred to a blank mat (not shown), ruled to form the required number of checkered areas, by filling in to correspond with the layout of the play-pieces on the outer top wall 28.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that while I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention and one that is of considerable value, amusement and educational to both children and adults, said embodiment is susceptible of variation in both form and material, and also that the words I have used are words of description and not of limitation, and that changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in its broadest aspect.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a game apparatus a flat, hollow, rectangular base having bottom, side, front and back end walls and an open top, an inner top wall spaced above said bottom wall, a plurality of square play areas marked on the upper surface of said inner top wall, said play areas being arranged in transverse and longitudinal rows, an outer top wall of transparent sheet material spaced above said inner top wall, said outer top wall having a plurality of apertures equal in number to said play areas, each aperture being substantially in alignment with one corner of a play area, a plurality of play pieces having indicia thereon for disposition on said outer top wall over said play areas, a plurality of consecutively numbered headed pegs to be received in said apertures to designate the play areas to be covered by said play pieces in accordance with the layout of a selected crossword puzzle to be solved, intersecting elongated members extending between said inner and outer top walls and mounted for transverse and longitudinal movements for varying the area of said marked surface in accordance with the area of the selected puzzle, said pegs when disposed in said apertures facilitating the count of said play areas with relation to the number of squares in the selected puzzle and also the setting of said members in positions to block off the unused area of said marked surface, a removable cover overlying said outer top wall and means for fastening said cover to said base when in closed position.

1 ture being substantially in alignment with one corner of I a play area, a plurality of play pieces havingindicia thereon for disposition on said outer top wall over said play areas, a plurality of consecutively numbered headed pegs to be received in said apertures to designate the play areas to be covered by said play pieces in accordance with the layout of a selected crossword puzzle to be solved and intersecting elongated members extending between said inner and outer top walls and mounted for transverse and longitudinal movements for varying the area of said marked surface in accordance with the area of the selected area, said pegs when disposed in said apertures facilitating the count of said play areas with relation to the number of squares in the selected puzzle and also the setting of said members in positions to block oil the unused area of said marked surface.

3. In a game apparatus a flat, hollow, rectangular base having an open top, an inner top wall in said base, a plurality of square play areas marked on the upper surface of said inner top wall, said play areas being arranged in transverse and longitudinal rows, an outer top wall of transparent sheet material in said base and spaced above said inner top wall, said outer top wall having a plurality of apertures equal in number to said play areas and in alignment therewith, a plurality of play pieces for disposition on said outer top wall over said play areas, a plurality of consecutively numbered headed pegs to be received in said apertures to designate the play areas to be covered by said play pieces in accordance with the layout of a selected cross word puzzle to be solved, and

intersecting elongated members extending between said inner and outer top walls and mounted for transverse and longitudinal movements for varying the area of said marked surface in accordance with the area of the selected puzzle, said pegs when disposed in said apertures facilitating the count of said play areas with relation to the number of squares in the selected puzzle and also the setting of said members in positions to block ofi the unused area of said marked surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Beery et a1. Nov. 3, 1925 Moisan Feb. 2, 1926 Holt Aug. 31, 1926 Solod Aug. 30, 1927 Martien May 1, 1928 Templeton June 19, 1928 Scofield Sept. 22, 1936 Funk Sept. 13, 1938 Scovil Aug. 4, 1942 Huifaker Apr. 10, 1951 Hall Nov. 13, 1951 Mauser Feb. 5, 1952 Lanice Ian. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS France Apr. 17, 1926 

